Jean Hay of Maybole has provided the programme below, published for the Coronation Pageant, held in Maybole on Saturday 30th May 1953. The programme was scanned and converted to text and images by Jim Millar. Click on the images below or use the scroll bar of your browser to view the pages following the table.

 Pages 1 - 8  │ Pages 9 - 18  │ Pages 19 - 28 (photos)   │ Pages 29 - 38  │ Pages 39 - 49 │ Advertisements

Archery

Archery has been practised from very early times both in war and in hunting, and remained for centuries the most efficient "long range" weapon, until the 15th century when it was superseded by gunpowder. It was revived in 1780 by Sir Ashton Lever at Leicester, and in the following year the Royal Toxophilite Society was instituted, which is still the controlling authority.

Sir Walter Scott in his first note in "Old Mortality" writes: —

"The festival of the Popinjay is still, I believe, practised at Maybole in Ayrshire".

He describes this festival as follows: —

"The young men were to mix in various sports, of which the chief was to shoot at the popinjay, an ancient game formerly practised with archery, but at this period with firearms. This was the figure of a bird, decked with parti-coloured feathers, so as to resemble a popinjay or parrot. It was suspended to a pole, and served for a mark, at which the competitors discharged their fuses and carabines in rotation, at the distance of sixty or seventy paces. He whose ball brought down the mark, held the proud title of Captain of the Popinjay for the remainder of the day, and was usually escorted in triumph to the most reputable change-house in the neighbourhood, where the evening was closed with conviviality, conducted under his auspices, and. if he was able to sustain it, at his expense. It will, of course, be supposed, that the ladies of the country assembled to witness this gallant strife, those excepted who held the stricter tenents of Puritanism, and would therefore have deemed it criminal to afford countenance to the profane gambols of the malignants".

This episode consists of a demonstration target shoot by Miss Margaret Munro, former secretary of Ayr Archery Club.

The Tournament

The Tournament or Tourney was a great feudal festival of sport, at which knights in full battle regalia, pitted their strength and skill in arms against each other. A Tourney was usually

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arranged by the King, or a powerful baron. He invited knights in the neighbouring lands to come to his estate and show their skill.

Knights were usually gifted men in the art of war, and on the whole did much to spread and maintain a high standard of personal conduct. Before becoming a knight, a man had normally to undergo a thorough training. As a boy he was taught manners and the etiquette of court by being employed as a page in the house of a great lady. There, too, he was taught how to carve and serve meat. Later, as a squire he learned to handle and maintain weapons. Finally he was subjected to a religious service, consisting of fasting, bathing, confessing his sins to a priest and watching all night in a church, after which he received his sword and golden spurs. Finally, kneeling before the donor, he took an oath to defend the weak and helpless, never to do anything dishonourable, and to be gentle towards the weak—especially women.

As a result of this attitude to life the contests were conducted in a chivalrous manner. The fighting, which frequently lasted several days, took place on level ground enclosed by barriers. The challengers collected at one end, hanging their standards and shields on the trees, or outside their tents, and the others displayed their equipment at the opposite end.

The spectators sat round the arena, the important persons having seats raised in tiers. At the end of the contest a lady who had been chosen as "the lady of the tournament", gave the prize to the champion. The tourney ended with feasting, music and merriment.

Country Dancing

Dancing in various forms is one of the oldest activities of humans. Country dancing probably owes its name to the Latin word "contra" meaning opposite. "Contra-dancing" was a form of dancing in which the dancers formed up opposite to each other. If this is so, the word "country" arose from constant mispronunciation of "contra". Thus the term "country dancing" is misleading.

In this episode the two dances featured are "The Theekit Hoose" and "The Gates of Edinburgh".

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Miming and Singing

Probably the story-teller was the original entertainer. Sometimes he told his story in words, sometimes in actions. Good stories were frequently told in verse In that form they were easily memorised, and were frequently handed down from generation to generation. In Feudal times a popular entertainment, during an afternoon's sport, was the presentation of a "dramatic interlude" in which the words were supplied by a choir and the actions by actors. In this episode "The Tale of Johnny Faa" is depicted in this way.

The gypsies cam to our gude lord's yett,

And oh but they sang sweetly;

They sang sac sweet and sac very complete,

That down cam our fair lady.

And she cam tripping down the stair,

And all her maids before her;

As soon as they saw her weel-faur'd face.

They cuist the glamourye ower her.

"Oh come with me", says Johnnie Faa;

"Oh come with me, my dearie,

For I vow and I swear by the hilt of my sword

That your lord shall nae mair come near ye!"

*        *         *

And when our lord cam hame at e'en,

And speired for his fair lady,

The tane she cried, and the other replied,

"She's away wi' the gypsy laddie".

"Gae saddle to me the black, black steed,

Gae saddle and mak him ready;

Before that I either eat or sleep

I'll gae seek my fair lady".

And we were fifteen weel-made men,

Although we were na bonnie;.

And we were a' put down for ane,

A fair young wanton lady.

*      *      *

This tale is entirely legendary. In one version the Earl is reputed to have hanged the gypsies on the Dule Tree, or Tree of Sorrow, which was situated on a mound near the old tower of Cassillis. In another version, he and his men are credited with having killed the gypsies by the sword at their camp.

It is probably of Scandinavian origin, an old Norwegian version being very popular in Norway.

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Flying

Aeroplanes, which in the memory of millions living today, were merely figments of the imagination of impractical dreamers, are to-day so much a part of life, that to many children they are no longer a source of wonder

To many they are now a subject of absorbing interest. These enthusiasts while studying the science of aerodynamics, can never-theless still appreciate the beauty of flight.

In Maybole there is a Model Club, which has a section dealing with aircraft. The membership is about thirty, the under fifteens paying threepence a week, and the over fifteens sixpence. The Secretary is Quentin Wilson and the Treasurer David Dunn. When asked for the name of the President, the Secretary replied "This is a club for models, not officials".

Good luck to them. They have acquired their own clubroom, and quite apart from their exploits with models, have demonstrated what can be done with the two great assets—initiative and enthusiasm.

This episode consists of a number of demonstration flights with aircraft from the above club and the Prestwick Model Aero Club.

The Musical Ride

The Musical Ride as known to-day, is a natural development of using cavalry in a disciplined manner in times of war. The effect of horsemen charging, shoulder to shoulder in line, was infinitely greater and more powerful than of a wild mob rushing on the enemy.

The iron discipline and drilling required by cavalry in war- time became in peace-time the framework of the Musical Ride. In peace-time it was customary for cavalry regiments to have an "At Home" to relatives and friends, and at the end of the day's proceedings, it would usually end with a Musical Ride Display. Generally, the display was not confined only to those connected with a Calvary Regiment but was performed before an increasingly interested public.

The Horse in War is no longer essential, but in any part of Pageantry, or occasions of Pomp and Circumstance he is needed in all his grace and dignity. A Musical Ride demands the best from horse and rider. Skill, practice, and above all co-operation as a team are essential for success.

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Clay Pigeon Shooting

Towards the close of the seventeenth century firearms were first used for sporting purposes. It was not then considered unsporting to shoot at a "sitting" target. In fact at the beginning of the nineteenth century a man who could shoot birds flying was looked upon as a wonder.

Clay pigeon shooting is practised by many gun clubs. The normal gun is a double-barrel twelve bore shot gun. The "birds" which are roundels of clay are projected into the air by a special machine, two at a time. The object is to break both of them using a shot from each barrel. In 1893 this type of shooting was governed by the Inanimate Bird Shooting Association which in 1903 was renamed the Clay Bird Shooting Association.

Golf

Golf, which has been called Scotland's national game, may have originated in Scotland. Although there is no definite record of when it was first played, it is known to have been popular in St. Andrews when the University was founded in 1413. It was particularly approved by the Archibishop of St. Andrews in 1553, and in 1608 James VI of Scotland and I of England introduced it to England at Blackheath, founding in that year the oldest known club, the Royal Blackheath. The next two clubs to be formed were the Royal Burgess Golfing Society of Edinburgh in 1735, and the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers in 1744. In 1754 the St. Andrews Golf Club was founded. In 1834 King William IV granted it the prefix of "Royal and Ancient". It is generally regarded as the foremost club in the world, and is the governing body of the game.

In I860, by which time professional golfers were coming to the fore, the Prestwick Golf Club presented as a challenge trophy the Champion Belt, which became the property of any player who should win it three years in succession. Thus began the Open Championship. It was won outright by "Young Tom" (Tom Morris,. junior), by his wins in 1868, 1869, and 1870. The competition was not held in 1871, as the Belt was then the property of "Young Tom". In 1872 the present cup was presented for competition and was won in that year by "Young Tom", who unfortunately died three years later at the early age of twenty-four.

This episode depicts golf at the end of the nineteenth century, on a very primitive course where the greens were not up to the general standard of the times. The three phases depicted are approaching, putting and driving.

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Liberation of Pigeons

Tame pigeons have been kept since ancient times, and probably for thousands of years have been used to carry messages. The Greeks built special lofts in the outposts of their cities, containing pigeons which were released to warn the city of the approach of invaders. In more recent history, the news of Waterloo was brought to this country by carrier pigeon two days before the official despatch of Wellington arrived.

A few years after this, in about 1820, the sport of racing pigeons developed in Belgium. In 1871 Belgian birds brought to Britain started an interest which resulted in the National Union being formed in 1896. Racing pigeons are of two main types, sprinter flying up to two hundred and fifty miles, and long-distance birds flying up to six hundred miles. The very best birds fly at nearly two thousand yards a minute, and at least one bird has come home from a distance of over one thousand miles.

Since the time of Noah, if not before, the dove has been treated as a bird of good tidings and peace. At many great functions, such as the opening of the Olympic Games, a great number of birds are released simultaneously. This is known as a mass liberation.

Bibliography

Maybole Past and Present—Lawson

Ayrshire—The Third Statistical Account—by Strawhorn & Boyd History of Ayrshire and Its Families—by Paterson

Pre-historic Man in Ayrshire—by Smith

Tales of a Grandfather—Scott

The Carrick Directory of 1883

Encyclopedia of Sports, Games and Pastimes

The Language of Sport—by Hare

Agricola—by Tacitus

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Tableaux and Group Organisers :

A Conventicle                                                                  Rev. G. B. Anderson

The Roasting of the Commendator                           J. Bowie

The Union of the Crowns and the

Act of Union                                                            Miss H. Chesney

 Carrick  Provident Co-operative

Society                                                                    Bailie J. Dunlop

Stocks and Weaving                                                     A. J. Glashan

Scottish Episcopal Church                                         Rev. R. Hill

Crannog Dwellers                                                        T. Jolson

Carrick Sailing Club                                                      W. Kerr

Vicar of Parish Church, Monks of

        Crossraguel Abbey and Priests

        of Chantry Chapel                                                 Rev. Father Meaney

Carrick Homing Society                                               J. Mollison

Knights in Armour, Smugglers and

Horse-drawn Vehicles                                        Miss M. Murdoch

Early Shoe-making and Youth

Organisations                                                      Miss M. Stewart

Emigration to Canada    1907                                   Miss M. Tait

Robert the Bruce, Macadam and

Blane                                                                     J. Thorburn

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Cast in Procession

1.         Bandmaster—S. Dunlop.  Assistant Bandmaster—J. Colquhoun.   Members of Band—

R. Colquhoun, W. Walker, R. McColm, W. Steel, J.Hempkin, M. Thomson, R. Dickson, S. Boden, J. Gray, A Lothian, A McColm, J. McEwan, A. Gardiner, J. Harris, J. McCuIloch, J. Brannan, R. Stevenson, T. Hamilton, J. McLellan, J. Bissett,  J. McDarrabol.

2.         J. Harris.

3.         T. Jolson, H. Cook, A. Waugh, J. Gaffney, J. McBride, G. Kidd, T. McBride, T. Robb.

MrsMcPhie, Msses A.  McMillan, M. McDowall, J. Murray.

4.         J. Paterson.

5.         T. Davidson

6.         Caroline Rennie, Fiona Scott.

7.         R. Malone, M McLarty, J. Connolly, J Meek.

8.         Lt-Col. I. E. Dobbie, G. McEwan, R. McDowall, B. Jess, H. Robertson, T. Henderson D.

            Galloway, T Barton, H. McDowall, J.McLintock, Alexander McCrindle.

9.         T. Corbett, E. McCaffrey.

10.       Misses R. Caldwcll, M Murdoch.

11.       W. Tweedily and D. Sullivan

12.       G. Austin, J. Barr, W. Benny

13.       William Scotbie, Alexander Girvan, Robert McDowall, James McLeish, John McWee,

            John Strachan.

14.       Misses S. Falconer, S. McClure.

15        Ian Ure, James Reid, Ian Rutherford, Wallace Galbraith, Stewart Giles, Terry Craig, David 

            Hill, Nigel Hill, Alec Cowan, Duncan Campbell, James Thompson, Andrew Pyper,      

            Michael  Denness, James Dunlop, William Neil, Charles Smith, Joseph Galloway, Messrs.

            G. Brewer, W. Richford, R. Bramwrll, E. Goldring, C. B. Gordon, G. Tweddie.

            Andrew Proudfoot, William McCubbin,  Ian Douglas, Janette Kiltie, Madge Davidson,

16.       Wilma, Kennedy, Charlotte. Barton.

17.       Miss H. Chesney.

18.       Caroline Adams, Celia Jauncey, Agnes Bannatyne, Maidy Bannatyne, Susan Hannah,

            Wendy Dunlop, Christian Fergusson, Alex. Crawford.

19.       J. Thorburn andJ.Bowie.

20.       R. Lewis.

21.       Members of Lodge.

22.       Misses E. Davidson, J.McKay.

23.       Jessie Lamb, Helen Cron, Ina McLardy, Pearl Houston.

24.       Bryce McQuiston.

25.       A—Elizabeth Elin, Jill Kerr, Alison Gibb; B—Miss M. Murdoch, Mrs Gairdner, Mrs

            Murdoch Murdoch, Alison Hannah, C- Dr B. P. M. Bannatyne, A. Owens, Miss J. Morrison;

            D-  J. Gray, C. Macpherson, D. Conn, R. Morrison,  Miss M. Tait, miss M. Dunlop.

26.       William Simpson, Martin Hay.

27.       Members of Carrick Co-operative Society.

28.       Cpls. John Walker, Sam McDowall, L/Cpls.  Bert Fleming, Hugh Cron, William Campbell,

Ptes. Ian Wilson, James Ross, Ian Page.

29.       John McEwan, John Houston, William Craig.

30.       J. Conkie, J. Douglas, T. Watson, Misses W. Burns, M. Campbell, M. Garvie, D. McCreath,

            E. Harvey, N. Hamilton, Mrs Niven, Mrs McLellan,  K. McQuade, J. Campbell, W.

            Connelly, W. Simpson.

31.       P.L. J. Mullen,  P.L. R. Paterson, send. A. Cook, Send. A. McCartney, Send. L. Herron,

            Send. S. Murdoch, J. Austin, J. Rodger.

32.       Members of the Carrick Homing Society.

33.       Violet  Wotherspoon, Cecilia McDowall, Netta McAlpine, Anne Watson, Jessie.

            Campbell,  Sheena Walker, Catherine. Johnston, Martha Wotherspoon.

1.         William Sword.

2.         Members of the British Legion.

3.         Members of the Lodge..

4.         Ian Corbett, Jack McLeish,  Tom Johnston, Hugh Lyburn, Hugh Mundell, Jim McConnell

            Ferguson Happel,  Tom Hamilton. John Harris, Malcolm McCulloch, Stephen Lonsdale,.

            James  McLellan,  Adam Boyd, Eric Hastings, John McCubbin, Robert McDowall.

5.         Margaret Mullen, Janie Nimmo, Sandra Hunter, Edith Bunon, Chrissie ,

            EvelynColquhoun, Isabel Cook, Morag Templeton.

6.         A. Jack and Sons.

7.        J. Anderson, J. Crossley, T Harvey, H. McCreadie, I. Page, R. Page, A. Waugh, 

           A.Docherty.

8.         Betty Dunabie, Jean Kennedy, Lilian Kennedy, Marjory Colquhoun.

9.         Margaret C. Reid, Margaret H. Reid, Maureen Wilson, Mavis Peat, Mary Hannah, Alice.

            Rodger, Moira Hamilton, Aileen Harris.

10.       J. Walker, D. Maclennan.

11.       P.Ls. Jim Kay, Colin Kilpatrick, Ronald Johnston, George Thomson, Jim Lucas;

            Seconds—Frank Kennedy, S. Kennedy, R. Paul.

12.       W. Wallace.

13.       Jack and Sons.

14.       Hutchison and McCreath.

15.       Lees and Co.

16.       Members of  the Carrick  Provident Co-operative Society.

17.       Members of Carrick Sailing Club.

18.       Francis Malone, DennisFarrel, Robert Brown, William Coyle,  Elizabeth Donnelly,

            Margaret Scobie, Catherine Meek, Bertha McGarry.

19.       Graham Wotherspoon, John Bone, Lachlan Lothian, Robert Gibson, Moira McKay, Reba

            Thomson, Lily Green, Mary Gibson.

20.       Kenneth Macpherson, Kenneth Murray, James Wylie, Archie Hunter, Catherine Davidson,

             Eleanor Ewing, Marion Black, Madge Duncan.

21.       Miss White, David Gray,  Audrey Adams, Joan Bramwell.

Cast in Spectacle

1.         J. Shaw.

2.         Countess of Carrick—Miss Marjory Murdoch; Robert Bruce—David Gray; Knights and

            Ladies—Miss M. Munro, Joan Bramwell, Margaret Murdoch, Audrey Adams, Lesley 

           Gairdner, Christian Fergusson, Caroline. Adams; Page- Alison Hannah.

3.         Miss Margaret Munro.

4.         Knights—Caroline Rennie, Fiona Scott; Lady of the Tournament- Sadie. Falconer;

           Baron  of the Land—J Thorburn; Ladies in Waiting—Jean Fergusson, Elizabeth Kidd,

           Violet McColm, Jean McCulloch, Marion McCulloch, Margaret McHaffie.

5.         James Fergusson - Mrs Jim McCreath, Ian Kidd - Miss Eliz. Fergusson, William

            Cooper - Mrs James McCreath, James Fulton - Mr